Napoli boss Rafa Benitez is a known admirer of the Serbia international and enquired about the full-back’s availability back in December, ahead of the January transfer window. Serie A leaders Juventus, meanwhile, have tried in vain to tie up a loan deal on two separate occasions.

Former City manager Roberto Mancini, now in charge of Galatasaray, is also keeping tabs on the situation and is keen on linking up with the left-back once again.

The Serb's current contract expires next summer, but City are planning to sit down with the Serbian to discuss an extension in the coming months.

And the Premier League side are in no rush to do business with Napoli after relations between the clubs soured last summer when City failed to sign Edinson Cavani, who eventually joined Paris Saint-Germain for a reported €63 million.

City boss Manuel Pellegrini is also keen to keep hold of the 28-year-old, who is happier at Eastlands having earned a regular starting berth, whether at full-back or on the left of midfield.

Kolarov has already made 34 appearances for the Blues this term, scoring four times, and was part of the side that tasted their first silverware of the season on Sunday by beating Sunderland 3-1 in the Capital One Cup final.